Watching my resident squirrel race across the top of my garden fence with a chestnut in its mouth, stopping occasionally to check if they are safe, and with small birds on the bird feeder constantly checking if they are safe from their predators, led me to another insight.

In our westernised world we really have no natural external predators in the way creatures have, but in their place we appear to have created our own internal predators... doubting ourselves and our capabilities, beating ourselves up if we make a mistake, believing that we are a neurotic imposter, being in fear of being found out, fearing and fighting criticism, lacking self-belief and, most of all, believing that external circumstances or events can cause us anxiety, worry, stress etc.

When we realise that by dissolving our predators within, i.e. our habitual thoughts and associated emotions – our fallback ‘take’ on the world – we gain access to our innate wisdom, knowledge, love, compassion, serenity, wellbeing etc. All qualities to which everyone has access when we quieten our thoughts and resultant emotions and return ourselves to our “factory settings.”

“It is not the power of the word or determination of the might, but the deep silent workings of our minds which bring the inner self and the outer self together in harmony.” Sydney Banks

Kenny Paton - Head of Oil & Gas for the Middle East and counsel in the Projects Practice in Dentons, Abu Dhabi office

“Charlie is the rare kind of coach who helps you find perspective rather than tactics - a quieter mind, a wider view, and a clearer sense of what really matters. I've worked with him for over 20 years and he’s helped me navigate challenges in new roles across three continents, and he's never failed to open something up for me.”

If you get the chance to work with him, take it.”

The Predators Within